King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 27:22 Mean?

Ezekiel 27:22 in the King James Version says “The merchants of Sheba and Raamah, they were thy merchants: they occupied in thy fairs with chief of all spices, and wit...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The merchants of Sheba and Raamah, they were thy merchants: they occupied in thy fairs with chief of all spices, and with all precious stones, and gold.”

Ezekiel 27:22 · KJV

Context

20

Dedan was thy merchant in precious clothes for chariots. precious: Heb. clothes of freedom

21

Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar, they occupied with thee in lambs, and rams, and goats: in these were they thy merchants. they occupied: Heb. they were the merchants of thy hand

22

The merchants of Sheba and Raamah, they were thy merchants: they occupied in thy fairs with chief of all spices, and with all precious stones, and gold.

23

Haran, and Canneh, and Eden, the merchants of Sheba, Asshur, and Chilmad, were thy merchants.

24

These were thy merchants in all sorts of things, in blue clothes, and broidered work, and in chests of rich apparel, bound with cords, and made of cedar, among thy merchandise. all: or, excellent things clothes: Heb. foldings

Read Ezekiel 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The merchants of Sheba and Raamah... occupied in thy fairs with chief of all spices, and with all precious stones, and gold (רֹאשׁ כָּל־בֹּשֶׂם וּבְכָל־אֶבֶן יְקָרָה וְזָהָב, rosh kol-bosem uvekol-even yeqarah vezahav)—Sheba (modern Yemen) and Raamah (possibly near modern Najran, Saudi Arabia) controlled the fabled incense route. The Hebrew rosh kol-bosem means "the chief/best of all spices"—frankincense and myrrh, worth their weight in gold. These are the same gifts the wise men brought to Christ (Matthew 2:11), connecting ancient commerce to messianic worship.

Even yeqarah (precious stones) and zahav (gold) echo Eden's description (Genesis 2:11-12) and foreshadow the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:18-21). Tyre accumulated paradise's treasures but lacked paradise's righteousness. Material wealth without spiritual truth produces only judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The South Arabian kingdoms (Sheba, Raamah) monopolized the incense trade for centuries, growing fabulously wealthy. Archaeological excavations at Timna (Yemen) confirm extensive frankincense production. A camel caravan from Sheba to Tyre would take 3-4 months, making spices extraordinarily valuable. The Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon (1 Kings 10) demonstrates these ancient commercial ties between Arabia and the Levant.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the connection between Sheba's trade goods and the wise men's gifts to Jesus transform your understanding of commerce as potentially pointing toward worship?
  2. What "treasures" in your life—whether material or spiritual—are you hoarding for yourself rather than offering to Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
רֹכְלָ֑יִךְ1 of 14

“The merchants”

H7402

to travel for trading

שְׁבָא֙2 of 14

“of Sheba”

H7614

sheba, the name of three early progenitors of tribes and of an ethiopian district

וְרַעְמָ֔ה3 of 14

“and Raamah”

H7484

ramah, the name of a grandson of ham, and of a place (perhaps founded by him)

הֵ֖מָּה4 of 14
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

רֹכְלָ֑יִךְ5 of 14

“The merchants”

H7402

to travel for trading

בְּרֹ֨אשׁ6 of 14

“with chief”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

כָּל7 of 14
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בֹּ֜שֶׂם8 of 14

“of all spices”

H1314

fragrance; by implication, spicery; also the balsam plant

וּבְכָל9 of 14
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֶ֤בֶן10 of 14

“stones”

H68

a stone

יְקָרָה֙11 of 14

“and with all precious”

H3368

valuable (objectively or subjectively)

וְזָהָ֔ב12 of 14

“and gold”

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

נָתְנ֖וּ13 of 14

“they occupied”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

עִזְבוֹנָֽיִךְ׃14 of 14

“in thy fairs”

H5801

trade, i.e., the place (mart) or the payment (revenue)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 27:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 27:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 10:7Isaiah 60:6Ezekiel 38:13Genesis 43:111 Chronicles 1:9Psalms 72:15

Places in This Verse

RaamahSettlement · Modern: Najran · 17.48°N, 44.18°E1 verse across 1 book
Sheba 1Region · Modern: Sheba · 15.35°N, 44.21°E18 verses across 8 books
View all places in Ezekiel 27 →

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